The SMU rugby club (5-2 in cup matches, 8-2 overall), with a21-15 win against Texas Tech over the weekend, has experienced moresuccess this season than they have in the past four years.
Saturday’s victory came at the heels of a 26-15 triumphover Baylor, propelling the Mustangs to the No. 1 spot inTexas.
This weekend’s win in Lubbock guarantees the team a spotin the 2004 Texas Rugby Union playoffs, which will begin on March6.
“This season has gone really well,” senior flankerand team treasurer Ryan Long said.
“We’ve been good the past two or three years, alwayscoming short of the playoffs by a couple of points or by onewin.”
Head coach Tony Wagner attributed this season’s success tonumerous sources, including a sense of unity and the input of eachteam member. Wagner said that everyone’s contributions havehelped the team tremendously, including the addition of new playerswho have helped fill in gaps and strengthen the team.
“Last year, we were playing as almost 15 individuals, atmoments playing as one, but this year we’re playing more likea team.”
And while this year’s 8-2 record has been nothing butwelcome, Wagner is well aware that continued success is noassurance.
“Next year is going to be rough,” he said.”Right now, half of our team members are seniors.”
With a majority of the team graduating this spring, the futurerests on the shoulders and abilities of those underclassmen willingto participate in a physically demanding sport.
Wagner said that “[rugby] does take a lot of dedicationand effort to play, but it’s not as hard as you think.
“I’ve got a strong bunch of sophomores and juniorsright now, but what we would really like to have is more freshmencome out and try the game,” Wagner said
Despite the unavoidable loss of some key team members, Wagnerremains optimistic when looking toward the future.
“With the right talent,” he said, “we could beback up in the top four next year. It just takes time to see whathappens.”
While most of the other Division II teams in Texas still havetwo more weekends worth of games leading up to the playoffs, thevictory against Tech marks the end of the regular season for theMustangs, giving the team some much needed rest before thepostseason begins.
First-year prop Brad Julsonnet, who is taking care of a leftankle injury, said that the down time will prove valuable to teammembers attempting to regain their health.
The SMU rugby team will host its annual alum game 2 p.m. thisSaturday on the Intramural Field.
